The Perfect Nurul Huda; I Ramble: 26 July 2021

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

I spent some time thinking of what The Perfect Nurul Huda will do everyday.

I do not think I will ever be able to turn into The Perfect Nurul Huda. It looks downright impossible. Nonetheless, I thought it will be fun to share an aspect of The Perfect Nurul Huda. Her daily routine. Be entertained.

– START –

Hello, my name is Nurul Huda and I am the Metropolitan Muslimah. This is my daily routine.

D A I L Y

I wake up at 4am everyday. I turn off my alarm. I recite my waking up prayer and make my side of the bed. That takes me 5 minutes.

I usually need to relieve my bladder when I get up. I brush my teeth and take my ablution. That takes up 5 minutes.

I pray Tahajud. It is not mandatory but I think it is the best form of meditation. That just takes 5 minutes. If I have my period, I go through The 99 Names and the meanings instead.

I exercise until 4.30am and my cooling down activity is cooking for lunch and dinner until 5.30am.

I wash up until 6am.

I pray Subuh, recite Ayatul Kursi, and read a page of the Quran. If I have my period, I recite Ayatul Kursi and read Quran translation instead. It takes me 15 minutes.

I garden until 6.45am.

I work on SG until 7.45am and SMC until 8.45am.

I have my bre. That takes 15 minutes.

That’s my standard morning routine for both my work and off days. Right now, I will talk about my routine on the days I need to work.

W O R K  D A Y

I get ready for work until 9.30am.

From then until 10.30am, I am in transit to work. During my journey, work on MM. I usually get peckish after travelling. If I reach earlier, I get a can of Milo from the vending machine and a packet of Hello Panda biscuits.

I work until 9pm. During my break times, I pray Zohor, Asar, Maghrib, Isyak and recite Ayatul Kursi and Al-Waqiah after Isyak. If I have my period, I will recite Ayatul Kursi and the 99 Names and read the translation of Al-Waqiah. I also socialise with my colleagues to strengthen our team spirit.

It takes an hour for me to reach home. During the journey, I catch up and follow up on messages from family and friends.

I have supper with my husband until 10.30pm.

I wash up until 11pm and call it a night.

Let us backstep a bit to where I stopped with my daily morning routine and continue with my off day routine.

O F F  D A Y

From 9am to 10am, I work on MM.

From 10am to 12pm, I bake something because I have an oven. It is a shame not to use it. Alternatively, if I do not have the budget for baking, I take a walk to clock in steps for The Conqueror’s Challenge.

From 12pm to 12.30pm, I have lunch with my husband.

After that, I put in an hour of writing. It can be anything ranging from a letter to writing lyrics for a song. I take short break for Zohor and Ayatul Kursi. On Fridays, I read Al-Kahfi. If I have my period, I will recite Ayatul Kursi and the 99 Names of Allah. This applies for the rest of the prayer breaks until Maghrib.

I study music until 2.30pm.

I sing until 3.30pm.

I study programming until 4.30pm.

I check on my finances and mail until 5pm. I take a break in between for Asar and Ayatul Kursi.

I livestream for half an hour and then play another game until 6pm.

I do house chores until 6.30pm.

I have dinner with my husband until 7pm.

I study a language until 8pm.

I practise my calligraphy and/or handlettering until 8.30pm. I pray Maghrib in between and recite Ayatul Kursi.

I pray Isyak and recite Ayatul Kursi and Al-Waqiah until 9pm. If I have my period, I recite Ayatul Kursi and the translation of Al-Waqiah.

I work on my bullet journal until 10pm.

I get my clothes and things ready for work until 10.30pm.

I read until 11pm and call it a night.

– END –

Yup, The Perfect Nurul Huda is also pressed for time. She needs more time to pursue every interest she has. I think I believe myself now when I say I do not have enough time in one day. As it turns out, I really do not. There is no absolutely-nothing-to-do time. And I am supposedly already starting my day at 4am. So how else to find more time? It simply is ridiculous.

Still, no matter how ridiculous and impossible that routine sounds, I think I will strive towards it. As long as it keeps me focused on living, why not?

And Allah is The Entirely Merciful. – MM